Are you considering installing natural stone for your next home renovation? Have you encountered any worrisome tales that have made you hesitant? There are several untrue myths out there regarding stone, and our goal is to educate you so you can make an informed decision. Here are just a few of the incorrect statements that our friends at Tile & Stone Source in Calgary and Edmonton hear everyday.
This is untrue. If your tiles have been installed correctly, they will easily hold up against general wear. As long as your stone and grout has been properly sealed with Dry-Treat’s Stain-Proof sealant, which comes with a 15-year warranty when installed by an accredited applicator, it will repel water and nasty stains that threaten your beautiful new tile. As to cleaning, Dry-Treat’s Rejuvenata and Oxy-Klenza are specially formulated for cleaning natural stone without etching it. Beware that acidic-based cleaners can etch stone, especially marble.
If you love the beauty of natural stone, don’t run away because of maintenance. Educate yourself on care and dive right in to the character and beauty that is real stone.
You have to seal, and re-seal, and re-seal.
False. This is the 21st century and gone are the days when sealers had to be reapplied every few months! Tile and Stone Source offers Stain-Proof, a super-impregnating sealant with a guarantee of 15 years when applied by certified applicators. It is fully penetrating and chemically changes the stone to repel water and stains. Tile and Stone Source has a large list of certified applicators, so come in to our showroom and grab a business card!
Stone can’t be installed in steam showers.
Yet another false claim. We recommend using a water-proofing membrane underneath your tile, but otherwise your stone is fully capable of being soaked and steamed. A popular product for steam showers are Tile and Stone Source’s thin stone slabs, aptly named Bolder Panels. These slabs are just 3mm thick, allowing you to install the slab on your wall and give you a grout-less shower.
Natural stone can’t go outside.
False…sort of. We don’t recommend exposing most stone such as travertine, marble or limestone to the Canadian elements. However, Tile and Stone Source does have several Indian and Brazilian slates which are dense and durable enough to withstand intense freeze and thaw cycles.
If you’re not in love with slate, not to worry. Porcelain can stand up to the outside, and today’s imitations are looking more and more real. Tile and Stone Source has a wide range of porcelain to choose from, so you are sure to find something to your taste.
Natural stone is cold on the feet.
Not if you install heated flooring! Tile and Stone Source supplies Ico’s Cozy Floor, a cost-effective solution compared to most competing brands. Cozy Floor’s easy to install in-floor heating system is perfect for placing heat beneath your new stone tiles. It’s energy efficient, using the equivalent amount of energy as a running light bulb year round.
Find tile and stone for your next home renovation!
Hopefully this helps put your mind to ease and allows you to make a more educated decision on whether or not to use stone for your next home renovation. If you have any other questions which are not answered here, feel free to leave a comment or stop by Tile and Stone Source’s showroom in Edmonton or Calgary at any time!
